Premier League to Allow Short Ramadan Breaks so Muslim Players can Break Fast

The Premier League and the English Football League will allow brief pauses during some matches in Ramadan so Muslim players and match officials can break their fast after sunset.

Ramadan is the Islamic holy month when Muslims abstain from eating or drinking from dawn until sunset. In the United Kingdom, sunset during Ramadan often falls between early evening, meaning some match kick-off times are more likely to overlap with the time when fasting players need to break their fast.

Because of this, the fixtures most likely to be affected are late-afternoon and early-evening matches, especially Saturday early-evening kick-offs and Sunday late-afternoon kick-offs, where the game is still ongoing when sunset arrives.

The league’s approach is designed to keep the match fair and flowing. Play will not stop in the middle of active action. Instead, the referee will allow a short break at the first safe and natural stoppage, such as a throw-in, a free kick, or a goal kick. This gives fasting players and officials a quick chance to take water and a small energy boost before continuing.

This system is not new. It has been used for several seasons and has already been applied in past matches, where officials allowed a short pause at a normal stoppage so players could briefly break their fast.

Clubs and match officials usually plan for it in advance. Before the match, they agree on whether a pause may be needed and, based on sunset timing, roughly when it is most likely to occur. This helps avoid confusion and ensures the process is handled smoothly.

Overall, the policy is meant to respect religious observance without giving any team an unfair advantage. It is a practical compromise: a short, controlled pause at a safe moment, allowing players to meet their faith obligations while maintaining competition rules and match standards.